Deep breath: Report claims severe asthma sufferers are 'most marginalised' Pic: © STV
Scots with severe asthma are "some of the most marginalised in society", a charity claimed on Thursday.
Those with the condition face widespread discrimination, according to a report published by Asthma UK and the Severe Asthma National Network (SANN).
The Fighting for Breath document called for a wide range of measures to be brought in to ensure that those with severe asthma get the support they need and are treated with fairness and respect.
About 18,000 Scots suffer from severe asthma and the report said that there are 1,200 asthma deaths a year around the UK.
The report summarises the findings of eight focus groups across the UK, including two in Glasgow, attended by people with severe asthma between January and March 2010.
Many of those interviewed for the study said they face frequent prejudice because of their severe asthma, due to ignorance about how serious the condition can be and the fact that, as a disability, it is "largely unseen" and can vary in its severity from day to day.
Shona Haslam, national director of Asthma UK Scotland, said: "Our report shows that people with severe asthma are some of the most marginalised in society, living hidden lives, facing discrimination from many areas of society and missing out on vital life opportunities.
"To ensure that people with severe asthma receive the support and care they deserve, the Scottish Parliament must ensure that those affected and their carers are able to access the benefits they need, spending on specialist nurse posts must be protected and specific asthma standards for adults must be developed and implemented."
Discrimination
The report found that some children were left unnecessarily marginalised by the condition because their school could not offer them the support they need. Many adult sufferers reported facing discrimination from employers who did not accommodate their condition.
Those with severe asthma often have difficulty breathing almost all of the time, suffer frequent, serious asthma attacks and have endless trips to hospital for emergency treatment.
They also take high doses of a long list of medicines, which can have harmful and debilitating side effects such as osteoporosis, growth problems, weight gain, diabetes, depression and hair loss.
One woman from Glasgow, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "I hate having to take so many pills, potions, every day at specific times, it annoys me, it makes me angry. I live by the clock, so I am basically constantly thinking about needing to take my medication, I am always conscious of it."
Many sufferers questioned the quality of care they received on the NHS, particularly at A&E. Their concerns included not being taken seriously in A&E departments, poor communication and their emergency treatment plans being ignored.
The report highlights the extent to which people with severe asthma need financial support from the benefits system to enable them to live their lives.
However, some sufferers said they were often turned down at the initial application or lost entitlements when reapplying for benefits. The organisation hopes that the report provides guidance to improve the future quality of care provision for people with severe asthma and their carers.
